Stakeholders

SSAB has many different stakeholders , who are important in work to define sustainability priorities. Key stakeholders are those that are impacted by SSAB’s operations and activities and, who similarly impact SSAB.

The following groups are considered as the most important stakeholder groups:

Existing and potential customers

Existing and potential employees

Shareholders, investors and financiers

Suppliers

Local communities near SSAB’s production sites

Public agencies and organizations

Other stakeholders SSAB interacts actively with include the media, regulators, various research bodies and partner organizations, research institutes, universities and vocational schools.

Continuous dialog with stakeholders

SSAB aims for regular, honest and transparent interaction with its stakeholders. SSAB actively maintains and develops its stakeholder relations and draws on information obtained from stakeholders when developing its operations, products and services. Transparent and continuous dialog increases the trust in SSAB’s ability to manage risks and utilize opportunities, which at the same time enhances the development of the company. Another aim of this dialog is to communicate the actions and measures taken within sustainability. At the same time, good communication is equally important from a stakeholder perspective so that SSAB can contribute to sustainability related assessments from suppliers and customers, investors and sustainability rating agencies.

SSAB has close collaboration with its customers in application development and technical support. SSAB actively participates in trade fairs, seminars and invites customers to site visits and to the annual Swedish Steel Prize, a competition established by SSAB in 1999 to inspire and disseminate knowledge about high-strength steel and how it can be used to develop stronger, lighter and more sustainable products.

It is important for SSAB to have engaged, competent and motivated employees to create a high-performing organization. Annual performance dialogs between employees and managers are a key element in following up results, providing mutual feedback and setting targets for performance and individual development. SSAB also conducts regularly personnel surveys to measure the satisfaction and engagement of employees. The survey gives everyone the opportunity to be part of the discussion and give feedback.

SSAB engages its investors and analysts in dialog to ensure that the financial markets have correct and sufficient information to determine the value of the SSAB share. The dialog includes annual general meetings, financial reports, result conferences and webcasts, information on the company’s website, press releases, investor and analyst meetings, seminars and site visits. In meetings with investors and analysts sustainability issues are also discussed, such as SSAB’s sustainability strategy and management, safety, climate change and energy.

SSAB’s work in sustainability extends to the whole value chain and via regular meetings with suppliers and contractors and via supplier audits SSAB maintains a dialog with important suppliers on issues related to, among other things, contracts, social and environmental responsibility, quality and delivery accuracy.

SSAB actively engages with the local communities in which it operates and is often the largest employer and significant regional force. The way SSAB works with local communities has been defined at a site level. Locally, in addition to own personnel, SSAB engages with politicians, regulators, the media and the general public, people living close to the production sites. SSAB aims to promote sustainable development of the local communities, participates in local initiatives, and sponsors selected local activities. In many places, SSAB works closely with, and organizes events,with local universities and schools to ensure future employees.

SSAB is involved in many research projects to drive technical developments and collaborates with industry associations on many topics such as emissions trading rights, as well as dealing with negotiations on permit matters related to environmental reporting.

Memberships and cooperation initiatives

Swedish Leadership for Sustainable Development (SLSD) network

In 2016, SSAB joined the Swedish Leadership for Sustainable Development (SLSD) network, which is a network of around 20 leading Swedish companies and NGOs with Swedish ties. The network was initiated in 2013 and is coordinated by the Swedish aid agency Sida. The UN´s new global goals for sustainable development (Sustainable Development Goals, SDG) are the basis of the network’s activities. In conjunction with the adoption of the SDGs, the network members agreed on a shared commitment to contribute to the achievement of these goals by reducing their environmental impact and using resources more efficiently, creating jobs with decent conditions and combating corruption and unethical conduct. The network’s CEOs meet once a year to evaluate the work conducted during the year and to set frameworks and guidelines for the next fiscal year.

Fossil Free Sweden initiativeThe Swedish Government has launched Fossil free Sweden – an initiative that will highlight actors who, in their activities, help solve the climate issue and achieve the goal of a fossil-free society.The declaration of Fossil Free Sweden stipulates that actors participating in the initiative share the view that the world must become fossil-free and that Sweden should lead the way in these efforts. The declaration also stipulates that actors who participate must be able to present concrete measures to reduce emissions. Ahead of the COP21 climate change conference in Paris, the United Nations initiated the launch of an Action Agenda, to show how enterprises, cities, municipalities and organisations contribute to climate efforts. Within the framework of Fossil Free Sweden, the Government is bringing together Swedish actors who want to contribute to the international platform.

NMC, the Swedish Association for Sustainable Business NMC, the Swedish Association for Sustainable Business, is a nationwide professional association and cross-industry platform for experience sharing, discussion and awareness-raising meetings between companies and organizations. Within the association there are approximately 235 companies in various industries. Together they raise sustainability issues and act as the unifying force that drives the sustainable development of society, both nationally and internationally.

Global Compact Nordic NetworkThe Global Compact Nordic Network is a local network under the umbrella of the United Nations Global Compact. The purpose of the Network is to provide a learning forum for Nordic members of the Global Compact, promote the Global Compact, showcase good practice and inspire and assist other companies in implementing the ten principles.

NAZCANAZCA captures the commitments to climate action by companies, cities, subnational, regions, investors, and civil society organizations. The landmark universal agreement and decision to address climate change, adopted by 195 nations in Paris in 2015, welcomes the efforts of these actors to scale up their climate actions and encourages the registration of these actions on NAZCA. NAZCA aims to track the mobilization and action that are helping countries achieve and exceed their national commitments to address climate change.

Bothnia BulkSSAB is a partner in the EU co-funded project called Bothnia Bulk. The project upgrades the existing maritime link between the ports of Luleå, Oxelösund and Raahe in the northern Baltic Sea to further comply with the environmental regulations. The main objective is to have an energy-efficient, low-emission supply of dry bulk cargo available year-round in the peripheral region and to increase efficiency and reduce overall logistics costs. The project contributes to significant positive effects on environment by optimizing raw material logistics as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.